The past six weeks have been an interesting experience in wearing that fabled shoe on the other foot as El Jefe and I, along with Sister-and-Brother-in-law attended the new member class at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston. I've organized and led a few new member classes in my day, and El Jefe has helped teach them, but we never had over 40 people in the class or the resources of a "mega-church" put into the effort.The classes focused more on integrating the new members into the life of the church rather than emphasizing Presbyterian theology or polity, although there was one session on that subject. The format was appropriate: a presentation on the topic of the day followed by small group discussions.
The most interesting session was the "workday" last Saturday. The idea was to acquaint the new members with one of the outreach opportunities the church is involved in and to encourage each one to find a niche for Christian service outside the walls of MDPC whether with the agency we visited or with another one of the many opportunities that were presented in the next day's "regular" meeting session.
Here's a church that believes "if you feed them, they will come." About 25 members of the class showed up Saturday morning at 8:30 at the church for breakfast and briefing. We caravaned over to the agency for orientation and were offered more snacks, water and soft drinks. After a tour we were divided into 3 groups. El Jefe, SIL, BIL, Babs and I were part of the group packing emergency sack lunches given to hungry clients. Then we went to the Thrift Shop where the guys moved furniture around and the gals "freshened up" the displays. By 11:30 we were called back to the workroom and fed box lunches while we heard about a few more mission opportunities in the area.
Before we left the church parking lot to return home El Jefe received an email from one of the new member class co-ordinators thanking us for our participation. By the time I got home there was another email with pictures of the whole family taken during the workday! Talk about positive feedback.
Although new members are encouraged to participate in the class, they will accomodate those who can't attend and still wish to join. El Jefe and I thought it was important to be part of the class even though as Moderator-Elect of presbytery, I am not exactly flying under the radar here. It's certainly been worth it and we've found it fun to have the shoe on the other foot for a change by participating instead of leading a group.
And will wonders never cease? El Jefe volunteered for kitchen duty Sunday after hearing a pitch from the elder in charge. Quoth Babs--"This from a man who never set a table at home in his life?"
As for me--well, as I told you, I'm not exactly flying under the radar--I agreed to lead a 6 week study for new members as part of the Giving Life Together small group initiative for Lent. So now the shoe goes back to the usual foot.
Although new members are encouraged to participate in the class, they will accomodate those who can't attend and still wish to join. El Jefe and I thought it was important to be part of the class even though as Moderator-Elect of presbytery, I am not exactly flying under the radar here. It's certainly been worth it and we've found it fun to have the shoe on the other foot for a change by participating instead of leading a group.
And will wonders never cease? El Jefe volunteered for kitchen duty Sunday after hearing a pitch from the elder in charge. Quoth Babs--"This from a man who never set a table at home in his life?"
As for me--well, as I told you, I'm not exactly flying under the radar--I agreed to lead a 6 week study for new members as part of the Giving Life Together small group initiative for Lent. So now the shoe goes back to the usual foot.
8 comments:
Do I see yet another glimmer of Type A?
Your new church is lucky to have all of you.
How many classes?
My congregation does 3 for an hour and a half each, plus the session meeting.
I know one Presby pastor who does it in one class. He feels that we are all on a learning journey and can learn together rather than just at the new member stage.
I've also heard of places that do 10 weeks, 3-4 hours a class. OY!
MDPC has 6 classes, not including the service project. Each class is one hour long. There is a lot of emphasis on discovering and using your spiritual gifts--including a class doing a spiritual gifts inventory.
Yet more evidence that shoe shopping can be a spiritual discipline!
This is so interesting. Thanks for filling us in.
Sounds like an adaptation of the classes done at Trinity Pres in Satellite Bch FL.
It sounds like you've found a really active Christian community. What a great program they have for new members. Can't beat good food and new shoes!
I find your experience to be an encouraging one. So often new members classes focus as you pointed on Presbyterian polity issues rather than engaging that new member with opportunities for growth and service. If we as Presbyterians are going to move from being what is often referred to as the 'frozen chosen' to the realities of a Christian church growing and active classes such as this one that you have experienced are the answer in my opinion. For too many joining the church is an exercise that does not engage them in the WORK of the Christian church but welcomes them to the pew but does not challenge them to grow and serve.
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